When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Occupy movement doesn't have a leader, but Oakland activist-rapper Boots Riley is serving as one sort of de facto spokesman for his hometown's defiant occupation, lending the collective grievances a high-profile voice.

Inspired by public gatherings in Greece and Spain, the self-described "outspoken Communist" visited Occupy Wall Street in September, went to Occupy Oakland on its first day, and performed there on the protest's fourth day. Last week, when crowds marched to retake Oscar Grant plaza after being kicked out, Riley was there with them. And today, as the Occupy movement attempts to shut down Oakland in a rare "general strike," Boots Riley will be out marching again.

"This is just a warning," he says of the strike, "like us flashing our guns and saying, 'This is the power that we have.' We're going to shut the city down, we're going to close the port, and from there, we're moving on."

"There's been movements where people just simply block traffic, or people are going around, trying to figure out where is the victory point," Riley tells All Shook Down. "What's going on here is something in which we have a defined goal of what we want to do. Of course, the larger goal is undefined. But what we do know is that this setup is not right, that the fact that the 1 percent is leeching off the 99 percent is not going to hold water."

Riley's advice for the Oakland police force -- which called in every officer to work during today's general strike? Get out of the way.

"If you want to prove that you're sincere in thinking you're part of the 99 percent, stand down," Riley says. "Let us do what we want. Show us that you're not just merely here to protect the status quo."

Despite his outspoken views, Riley argues that violence on the part of the protesters -- whether it's breaking windows or throwing bottles -- isn't going to help the movement at all. A pamphlet was circulated around Oakland recently calling for an end to nonviolent protests in favor of more forceful ones. Riley calls the issue of violent versus nonviolent protests "irrelevant."

"What we're doing, the violence that we're using, is our bodies stopping the system from working," he says. "Our goal is to win."

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"